Piercing connector for continuous flexible bus

ABSTRACT

A continuous flexible bus comprises, for example, a plurality of metal clad flexible conductors. A device, such as a switch for example, is connected to the continuous flexible bus. In order to connect the device to the continuous flexible bus, at least one piercing connector is used, for example. The at least one piercing connector is configured, for example, to pierce one of the plurality of flexible metal clad conductors. Once the one of the plurality of flexible metal clad conductors is pierced, the at least one piercing connector causes, for example, an electrical connection between an electrical conductor in the pierced one of the plurality of flexible metal clad conductors and the switch.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser.No. 12/580,357 entitled “Piercing Connector for Continuous Flexible Bus”filed Oct. 16, 2009, which claims the benefit under provisions of 35U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/106,249, filedOct. 17, 2008, which are incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHTS

All rights, including copyrights, in the material included herein arevested in and the property of the Applicants. The Applicants retain andreserve all rights in the material included herein, and grant permissionto reproduce the material only in connection with reproduction of thegranted patent and for no other purpose.

BACKGROUND

Conventional power distribution systems comprise: i) busway and stab;and ii) pipe and wire with boxes. The busway and stab system is fairlymodular although the busway construction and installation is difficultand costly. The pipe and wire system requires difficult terminations andadditional boxes for terminating onto a main trunkline. The pipe andwire system also requires substantial labor in fabricating conduit bendsand preparing fittings.

Furthermore, when conventional devices such as receptacles, breakers, orswitches, are installed, a power cable must be cut. The cable comprisesa number of individual wires, some of which are insulated withcolor-coded insulation. Once the cable is cut, the individual wirescomprising the cable must be stripped of the color-coded insulation fora small distance on the respective individual wires. After theinsulation is stripped, the wires must each be bent into a curve on thetip ends and then hooked onto screws on the device. The screws must thenbe tightened onto the wires. Also, during this process, care must begiven to the color-code on each wire to make sure the right color getsmatched to the right screw. As can be seen, installing a device can belabor intensive and error prone if wiring color is crossed.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter. Nor is this Summaryintended to be used to limit the claimed subject matter's scope.

A continuous flexible bus may be provided. The continuous flexible busmay comprise a plurality of flexible conductors that may be metal clad.A device, such as a switch for example, may be connected to thecontinuous flexible bus. In order to connect the device to thecontinuous flexible bus, at least one piercing connector may be used.The at least one piercing connector may be configured to pierce one ofthe plurality of flexible metal clad conductors. Once the one of theplurality of flexible metal clad conductors is pierced, the at least onepiercing connector may cause an electrical connection between anelectrical conductor in the pierced one of the plurality of flexiblemetal clad conductors and the switch.

Both the foregoing general description and the following detaileddescription provide examples and are explanatory only. Accordingly, theforegoing general description and the following detailed descriptionshould not be considered to be restrictive. Further, features orvariations may be provided in addition to those set forth herein. Forexample, embodiments may be directed to various feature combinations andsub-combinations described in the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this disclosure, illustrate various embodiments of the presentinvention. In the drawings:

FIGS. 1A and 1B show metal clad conductors used in a continuous flexiblebus;

FIG. 2 shows a cut-a-way of a twelve story building including powerdistribution utilizing a continuous flexible bus;

FIGS. 3A and 3B show the tap box and switch panel from FIG. 2 in moredetail;

FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 show connectors that tap into phase and groundingconductors;

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C show a connector for a three-phase tap;

FIGS. 8A and 8B show a fused switch from FIG. 2 using the three-phasetap of FIG. 7 to tap the flexible continuous bus;

FIG. 9 shows a fused switch from FIG. 2, FIG. 8A, and FIG. 8B feedingvarious panels and a transformer;

FIG. 10 shows end caps for metal clad conductors used in the continuousflexible bus;

FIGS. 11 and 12 show armor and insulation piercing contacts for phaseand grounding conductors;

FIG. 13 shows metal clad conductors used in a continuous flexible bus inwhich three phases are contained within one metal cladding in a circularorientation;

FIG. 14 shows metal clad conductors used in a continuous flexible bus inwhich four separate conductors associated with one phase are containedwithin one metal cladding in a circular orientation;

FIG. 15 shows metal clad conductors used in a continuous flexible bus inwhich three phases are contained within one metal cladding in arectangular orientation;

FIG. 16 shows a keyed power cable cross sectional view;

FIG. 17 shows a device that may be configured to a accept keyed powercable;

FIG. 18 shows a device that may be configured to a accept keyed powercable;

FIG. 19 shows a keyed power cable being placed in a trough;

FIG. 20 shows a device configured to receive a keyed power cable in aflat manner;

FIG. 21 shows a pigtail used to connect a keyed power cable to a device;and

FIG. 22 shows a plug tail used to connect a keyed power cable to adevice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawingsand the following description to refer to the same or similar elements.While embodiments of the invention may be described, modifications,adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example,substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elementsillustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may bemodified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosedmethods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limitthe invention.

Embodiments of the invention may save a contractor or an electriciantime by providing a system to install power cables for commercial andindustrial applications. Conventional electrical services are installedusing bus bar busway systems or pipe and wire. With conventional buswaysystems, power can be tapped as demand increases by stabbing the buswith a disconnect stab. The drawbacks to the conventional busway systemare installation complexity and cost associated with installation. Wheninstalling a conventional busway system, bus size and length must becarefully designed and ordered before installation. During installation,care must be given to erecting specific bus portions in certainlocations indicated in the design. Embodiments of the invention providea continuous flexible bus that may be installed with connectors that cantap into phase and grounding conductors. Because the continuous flexiblebus may be pulled from a reel and cut to order on a job site, size andlength need not be carefully designed and ordered before installation.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show metal clad conductors 105, 110, 115, and 120 thatmay be used in a continuous flexible bus 100. Within continuous flexiblebus 100, one of metal clad conductors 105, 110, 115, and 120 maycomprise a neutral while the remaining three may respectively correspondto the three phases of a three-phase power system. Cladding onconductors 105, 110, 115, and 120 may comprise an armor that may be madeof non-metal materials and is not limited to metal materials. Metal cladconductor 105 may comprise a conductor 125, an insulation 130, a jacket135, and an armor 140. Metal clad conductors 110, 115, and 120 may bemade of similar construction to metal clad conductor 105. Armor 140 maycomprise any substance (e.g. metallic, non-metallic, electricallyconductive, electrically semi-conductive, etc.). For example, armor 140may comprise a continuous strip having a width and being appliedhelically around jacket 135. The continuous strip, for example, may besnuggly or tightly wrapped around jacket 135. Armor 140 may be, but isnot limited to, welded corrugations or other assembly construction suchas interlocked strip or braided stranding for example.

Unlike conventional rigid bus systems, continuous flexible bus 100 maybe flexible and can be placed and stored on a reel. Consequently,continuous flexible bus 100 may be more easily installed because it canbe flexed and easily fed during installation making it easier to installover a rigid metal bus. Also, because flexible bus 100 may be placed andstored on a reel in long lengths after manufacture, individual rigidshort bus lengths do not have to be managed. In other words, withconventional systems, conventional bus systems must be pre-engineeredand made to order for a particular job. Consistent with embodiments ofthe invention, continuous flexible bus 100 may be paid-off a reel orreels on a job site and cut to order during installation.

FIG. 2 shows a cut-a-way of a multi-story building 205 including powerdistribution utilizing continuous flexible bus 100. Consistent withembodiments of the invention, continuous flexible bus 100 may be used incable risers supplying power, for example, to multi-story building 205,such as offices, apartments, or condominiums. For example, continuousflexible bus 100 may be placed in a substantially vertical raceway inmulti-story building 205. Power (e.g. three-phase power from an electricutility company) may enter building 205 and terminate in a switch panel210. From switch panel 210, the power may feed a tap box 215 that tapsmetal clad conductors 105, 110, 115, and 120 of continuous flexible bus100. Tap box 215 may tap metal clad conductors 105, 110, 115, and 120using piercing connectors as described in greater detail below. In thisway, power (e.g. three-phase power from an electric utility company)entering building 205, may be fed to continuous flexible bus 100. Asdescribed in greater detail below, continuous flexible bus 100 may betapped and used to feed various electrical panels and transformers inbuilding 205.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show the tap box and switch panel from FIG. 2 in moredetail. Metal clad conductors 105, 110, 115, and 120 may be caped bycaps 220 that are described in more detain below with respect to FIG.10.

FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 show connectors that tap into continuous flexible bus100. As shown in FIG. 4, a piercing connector 400 may include a firstcircuit conductor lug 405 and a first ground conductor lug 410 in afirst block 415. A second block 420 may hold a second circuit conductorlug 425 and a second ground conductor lug 430. First circuit conductorlug 405 may include one or a plurality of first piercing contacts 435.Similarly, second circuit conductor lug 425 may include one or aplurality of second piercing contacts 440. Consistent with embodimentsof the invention, any number of circuit conductor lugs or groundconductor lugs may be used with piercing connector 400.

As shown in FIG. 5, first block 415 and second block 420 may be fastenedtogether around metal clad conductor 105. While FIG. 5 shows bolts 445being used to fasten first block 415 and second block 420 togetheraround metal clad conductor 105, any fastener may be used andembodiments of the invention are not limited to bolts as fasteners. Asbolts 445 are tightened, metal clad conductor 105 may be pierced bypiercing contacts (e.g. first piercing contacts 435 and/or secondpiercing contacts 440) that pierce armor 140, pass through jacket 135and insulation 130, and may make and maintain electrical contact withconductor 125. Also, as bolts 445 are tightened, first ground conductorlug 410 and second ground conductor lug 430 may make contact and fitsnuggly between armor 140 and first block 415 and second block 420respectively. Accordingly, first ground conductor lug 410 and secondground conductor lug 430 may make and maintain electrical contact witharmor 140. Bolts 445 may comprise “break off” torque bolts where theheads of bolts 445 snap off when proper torque (e.g. a predeterminedamount) is achieved. The predetermined amount of torque may compriseenough torque to cause metal clad conductor 105 to be pierced bypiercing contacts (e.g. first piercing contacts 435 and/or secondpiercing contacts 440) that pierce armor 140, pass through jacket 135and insulation 130, and may make and maintain electrical contact withconductor 125.

FIG. 6 shows piercing connector 400 snuggly bolted around metal cladconductor 105. The piercing contacts (e.g. first piercing contacts 435or second piercing contacts 440) may be connected to one or more tabsthat are on an exterior of piercing connector 400. Similarly, firstground conductor lug 410 may be connected to one or more tabs that areon an exterior of piercing connector 400. For example, first piercingcontacts 435 may be connected to a first tab 605 and first groundconductor lug 410 may be connected to ground tab 610. Second piercingcontacts 440 may be connected to a second tab 607. As shown in FIG. 6,first tab 605 may then be connected to a conductor wire in a first cable615 and ground tab 610 may then be connected to a ground wire in firstcable 615. Second piercing contacts 440 and second ground conductor lug430 may be similarly connected to a second cable 620.

Consistent with embodiments of the invention, first circuit conductorlug 405 and first ground conductor lug 410 may be maintained in piercingconnector 400 in such a way that they do not come into electricalcontact with each other. Also, second circuit conductor lug 425 andsecond ground conductor lug 430 may be maintained in piercing connector400 in such a way that they do not come into electrical contact witheach other as well. For example, first block 415 and second block 420may be made of a non-conducting material (e.g. porcelain or epoxy). Orfirst circuit conductor lug 405 and second circuit conductor lug 425 maybe insulated at all points where they touch their respective blocks.

Moreover, first piercing contacts 435 and second piercing contacts 440may be insulated in areas where they may contact armor 140 when piercingconnector 400's installation in complete as shown in FIG. 6. In otherwords, once piercing connector 400 is completely installed, firstpiercing contacts 435 and second piercing contacts 440 may only bemaking and maintaining electrical contact with conductor 125 and may notmaking and maintaining electrical contact with other parts of metal cladconductor 105. Consequently, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, theconnectors may be configured to tap one phase or neutral (e.g. one ofmetal clad conductors 105, 110, 115, and 120) or a three-phaseconfiguration may be configured to tap all conductors in continuousflexible bus 100 (e.g. all metal clad conductors 105, 110, 115, and 120)as shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show a fused switch 805 using the three-phase tap ofFIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C to tap flexible continuous bus 100. For example,fused switch 805 may use the connectors shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 totap into continuous flexible bus 100. As stated above, continuousflexible bus 100 may be electrically energized from switch panel 210. Inorder to get power from continuous flexible bus 100 fed to loads on afloor of building 205, fused switch 805 may be used to tap flexiblecontinuous bus 100. FIG. 9 shows switches similar to fused switch 805from FIG. 2, FIG. 8A, and FIG. 8B feeding various panels and atransformer on a floor of building 205. As shown in FIG. 2, aconfiguration similar to that of FIG. 9 may be used on any or all floorsof building 205 to tap into continuous flexible bus 100.

FIG. 10 shows end caps 220 from FIGS. 3A and 3B for metal cladconductors 105, 110, 115, and 120 used in continuous flexible bus 100.End caps 220 may be deployed at either or both ends of any one or moreof metal clad conductors 105, 110, 115, and 120. FIGS. 11 and 12 show inmore detail armor and insulation piercing contacts for metal cladconductors 105, 110, 115, and 120 as described above with respect toFIGS. 4, 5, and 6.

FIG. 13 shows metal clad conductors used in a continuous flexible bus inwhich three phases are contained within one metal cladding in a circularorientation. In this configuration, one circular medal clad element maybe used rather than four as illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2. In otherwords, in this configuration, all three phases and a neutral may beplaced in one metal cladding and used as a continuous flexible bus.Notwithstanding, any number of phase and neutral conductors may be used.In this configuration, the continuous flexible bus of FIG. 13 may bepierced or taped at certain places on the exterior of the continuousflexible bus in order to tap a particular respective phase or neutralconductor. Accordingly, the exterior of the continuous flexible bus ofFIG. 13 may be labeled or keyed in a manner that indicates where topierce the continuous flexible bus in order to tap a particularrespective phase or neutral conductor.

FIG. 14 shows metal clad conductors used in a continuous flexible bus.In this configuration, four separate conductors (e.g. sub-conductors)associated with one phase (or neutral) may be contained within one metalcladding in a circular orientation. In this configuration, thecontinuous flexible bus of FIG. 14 may be pierced or taped at certainplaces on the exterior of the continuous flexible bus of FIG. 14 inorder to tap a particular respective sub-conductor. Accordingly, theexterior of the continuous flexible bus of FIG. 14 may be labeled orkeyed in a manner that indicates where to pierce the continuous flexiblebus in order to tap a particular respective sub-conductor.

FIG. 15 shows metal clad conductors used in a continuous flexible bus inwhich three phases are contained within one metal cladding in arectangular orientation. The configuration of FIG. 15 is similar to thatof FIG. 13; however, FIG. 15 is in a rectangular orientation. Like theFIG. 13 configuration, the continuous flexible bus of FIG. 15 may bepierced or taped at certain places on the exterior of the continuousflexible bus in order to tap a particular respective phase or neutralconductor. Accordingly, the exterior of the continuous flexible bus ofFIG. 15 may also be labeled or keyed in a manner that indicates where topierce the continuous flexible bus in order to tap a particularrespective phase or neutral conductors.

Once power is fed from continuous flexible bus 100 to any one or more ofthe panels shown in FIG. 2, power may be fed from the panels to loads onany one or more of the floors in building 205. The power may be fed fromthe panels to loads using a keyed power cable. Consistent withembodiments of the invention, devices attached to the keyed power cablemay be configured to easily attach and connect to the keyed power cable.The devices attached to the keyed power cable may be configured tocontrol or tap power off of the keyed power cable. Such devices maycomprise, but are not limited to, switches, breakers, receptacles,lighting fixtures, appliances, etc.

The devices may be configured to pierce and electrically connect to thekeyed power cable in a predetermined manner. For example, the devicesmay be configured to accept the keyed power cable in only one way due toa “keyed” configuration of the keyed power cable. Because the device mayreceive the keyed power cable in only one way, the location of certainone or more conductors within the keyed power cable may match withcertain piercing elements within a particular device. In this way,devices may be designed to match the keyed power cable and make piercingelectrical connections with the keyed power cable so as to connect tothe keyed power cable in a manner specifically needed for a givendevice.

FIG. 16 shows a keyed power cable 1605 cross sectional view. Keyed powercable 1605 may include a first conductor 1610, a second conductor 1615,a third conductor 1620, and an insulation layer 1625. A first distance1630 may be different than a second distance 1635. In this way keyedpower cable 1605 may be “keyed” by giving the conductors (firstconductor 1610, second conductor 1615, and third conductor 1620) withinkeyed power cable 1605 certain predetermined positions. FIG. 16 showsone example of a “keyed” configuration and other configurations may beused to give conductors predetermined positions within a power cable.For example, keyed power cable 1605 may have a cross sectionalsymmetrical about only one axis, for example, an axis 1640. Furthermore,keyed power cables, consistent with embodiments of the invention, mayhave no cross sectional symmetrical.

Continuing the example of FIG. 16, FIG. 17 shows a device 1705 that maybe configured to accept keyed power cable 1605 in one way. As shown inFIG. 17, device 1705 may include at least one “keyhole” 1710. Keyhole1710 may include a distance 1730 configured to correspond to distance1630 of keyed power cable 1605. In addition, keyhole 1710 may include adistance 1735 configured to correspond to distance 1635 of keyed powercable 1605. In this way, device 1705 may be configured to accept keyedpower cable 1605 in one way. Device 1705 may include other keyholessimilar to keyhole 1710 so that device 1705 may accept more that onekeyed power cable.

FIG. 18 shows another device, for example, a breaker 1805 configured tofit into one of the panels of FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 18 breaker 1805may include a keyhole 1810 similar to keyhole 1710 of device 1705. Afterbreaker 1805 is placed in the panel, a first end of keyed power cable1605 may be placed in keyhole 1810. A bolt or screw on breaker 1805 maythen be turned to cause a connector in breaker 1805 to pierce keyedpower cable 1605 and make respective corresponding electricalconnections with first conductor 1610, second conductor 1615, and thirdconductor 1620. A first of the corresponding electrical connections(e.g. to first conductor 1610) may be to a hot leg in the panel, asecond of the corresponding electrical connections (e.g. to secondconductor 1615) may be to a neutral in the panel, and a third of thecorresponding electrical connections (e.g. to third conductor 1620) maybe to a ground in the panel.

Device 1705 may then receive a second end of keyed power cable 1605 inkeyhole 1710. A bolt or screw on device 1705 may then be turned to causea connector in device 1705 to pierce keyed power cable 1605 and makerespective corresponding electrical connections with first conductor1610, second conductor 1615, and third conductor 1620. A first of thecorresponding electrical connections (e.g. to first conductor 1610) maybe to a hot side of a receptacle, a second of the correspondingelectrical connections (e.g. to second conductor 1615) may be to aneutral side of the receptacle, and a third of the correspondingelectrical connections (e.g. to third conductor 1620) may be to a groundpost of the receptacle. Because device 1705 and breaker 1805 may bedesigned to match keyed power cable 1605 in only one way and makepiercing electrical connections with keyed power cable 1605 so as toconnect to keyed power cable 1605 in a manner needed, proper electricalconnections are made. In other words, no wire striping or attention toproper color coded wires is needed. Consequently, the connections may bemade faster and without introducing human error of crossing connections.

Devices consistent with embodiments of the invention may be configuredto include a trough rather than a keyhole. As shown in FIG. 19, keyedpower cable 1605 may be placed in a trough 1910. A screw 1915 on adevice 1905 may then be turned to cause a connector in device 1905 topierce keyed power cable 1605 and make respective correspondingelectrical connections with first conductor 1610, second conductor 1615,and third conductor 1620. When device 1905 comprises a receptacle, afirst of the corresponding electrical connections (e.g. to firstconductor 1610) may be to a hot side of a receptacle, a second of thecorresponding electrical connections (e.g. to second conductor 1615) maybe to a neutral side of the receptacle, and a third of the correspondingelectrical connections (e.g. to third conductor 1620) may be to a groundpost of the receptacle. A similar trough configuration may be used witha breaker or any electrical device.

The aforementioned trough may be configured to accept keyed power cable1605 in only one way. Because the aforementioned trough may be designedto match keyed power cable 1605 in only one way and make piercingelectrical connections with keyed power cable 1605 so as to connect tokeyed power cable 1605 in a manner needed, proper electrical connectionsare made. In other words, no wire striping or attention to proper colorcoded wires is needed. Consequently, the connections may be made fasterand without introducing human error of crossing connections.Furthermore, with the trough configuration, keyed power cable 1605 neednot be cut in order to connect a device. Rather devices may be connectedto keyed power cable 1605 in line by, for example, clamping the deviceonto keyed power cable 1605.

Consistent with embodiments of the invention, as shown in FIG. 20, adevice 2005 may be configured to receive keyed power cable 1605 in onlyone way in a flat manner. Then a plate 2010 may be placed over device2005. Once plate 2010 is in place, keyed power cable 1605 may be piercedand connected in a manner similar to that described above with respectto FIG. 19.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22, consistent withembodiments of the invention, a pigtail 2105 or a plug tail 2205 may beused to connect keyed power cable 1605 to a device. Keyed power cable1605 may interface with pigtail 2105 or plug tail 2205 in any mannerdescribed above including the keyhole manner, the trough manner, theflat manner, or any manner by which pigtail 2105 or plug tail 2205 canaccept keyed power cable 1605 in only one way in order to pierce andconnect to pigtail 2105 or plug tail 2205 in a consistent andpredictable manner. For example, because pigtail 2105 may be configuredto accept keyed power cable 1605 in only one way, conductor 1610 mayalways map to a black insulated conductor 2110, conductor 1615 mayalways map to a white insulated conductor 2115, and conductor 1620 mayalways map to a green insulated or bare conductor 2120. Furthermore,because plug tail 2205 may be configured to accept keyed power cable1605 in only one way, conductor 1610 may always map to a first prong2210, conductor 1615 may always map to a second prong 2215, andconductor 1620 may always map to a third prong 2220. The wires comingout of pigtail 2105 or the prongs coming out of plug tail 2205 may thenconnect to a device. While prongs are shown coming from plug tail 2205,pads, connectors, or any type of contacts may be used to connect plugtail 2205 to the receptacle in only one manner.

Consistent with embodiments of the invention, a keyed power cable may beconfigured to include conductors corresponding to at least both “hotlegs” (e.g. left leg and right leg) of a 240 volt service. Devices maybe configured to connect to such a keyed power cable in at least themanners described above (e.g. keyhole, trough, flat, etc.). Devicesconfigured to connect to this type of keyed power cable may beconfigured to be “left leg” devices or “right leg” devices. In otherwords, a “left leg” device may be configured to connect to the hotconductor in keyed power cable corresponding to the “left leg.”Similarly, a “right leg” device may be configured to connect to the hotconductor in keyed power cable corresponding to the “right leg.” In thisway, a substantially equal number of “left leg” and “right leg” devicesmay be used in a given installation in order to balance the load betweenboth legs.

Devices may also include devices that may use video or data services. Inthis case, the keyed power cable may also include a data and/or a videoconductor. Such devices may be pierced and connected to in any of themanners described above. The data and/or a video conductor may occupy aparticular location in the keyed power cable. Devices that may use videoor data services may be configured to pierce and connect to thisparticular location. For example, a device may comprise, but not limitedto, an RJ-45 data port. Consequently, this device may be configured topierce and connect to the data conductor and not pierce and connect toany power conductors. Furthermore, a device may comprise a camera.Consequently, this device my may be configured to pierce and connect toboth the data conductor and to the power conductors in the keyed powercable.

Furthermore, the device may comprise or include an electronic switch. Inthis example, the device may be configured to pierce and connect to thedata conductor and to the power conductors in the keyed power cable. Theelectronic switch may be an addressable device on a data network that isoperating on the data conductor. A controller computer may operate onthe data network and operate the electronic switch. Or the controllercomputer may program the switch to operate any device on the datanetwork. For example, one device may comprise a receptacle having anelectronic switch and another device may comprise an electronic “flip”type switch that may be mounted on a wall. Both of these devices may beconnected to the data network controlled by the computer. In otherwords, the electronic “flip” type switch may pierce and connect to thedata conductor in the keyed power cable and the receptacle may pierceand connect to both the power and the data in the keyed power cable.Consequently, the computer may be programmed to monitor the state of the“flip” switch using the data network. When the computer detects a statechange, the computer may change a state of the switch in the receptacle.In this way, flipping the switch may turn power to the receptacle on andoff. Latter, the computer may be reprogrammed to allow the “flip” typeswitch to operate some other device on the data network under thecomputer's control.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been described, otherembodiments may exist. Further, the disclosed methods' stages may bemodified in any manner, including by reordering stages and/or insertingor deleting stages, without departing from the invention. While thespecification includes examples, the invention's scope is indicated bythe following claims. Furthermore, while the specification has beendescribed in language specific to structural features and/ormethodological acts, the claims are not limited to the features or actsdescribed above. Rather, the specific features and acts described aboveare disclosed as example for embodiments of the invention.

1. A continuous flexible bus comprising: a plurality of flexible cladconductors; a device; and at least one piercing connector configured topierce one of the plurality of flexible clad conductors and to cause anelectrical connection between an electrical conductor in the pierced oneof the plurality of flexible clad conductors and the device wherein thepiercing connector comprises; a first block associated with at least afirst circuit conductor lug having at least one first piercing contact;a second block; and at least one fastener connecting the first block tothe second block, the at least one fastener configured to cause the atleast one first piercing contact to make and maintain electrical contactwith the electrical conductor placed between the first block and thesecond block wherein the at least one fastener is configured to furthercause the at least one first piercing contact to pierce a claddingaround the electrical conductor and to pass through an insulation aroundthe electrical conductor before making and maintaining electricalcontact with the electrical conductor placed between the first block andthe second block wherein the at least one first piercing contact isinsulated in such a way that the at least one first piercing contactonly makes and maintain electrical contact with the electrical conductorand does not make and maintain electrical contact with the claddingaround the electrical conductor.
 2. The continuous flexible bus of claim1, wherein the first block and the second block are made of anon-electrically conductive material.
 3. The continuous flexible bus ofclaim 1, wherein the first block and the second block are made of epoxy.4. The continuous flexible bus of claim 1, wherein the first block andthe second block are made of porcelain.
 5. The continuous flexible busof claim 1, wherein the at least one fastener connecting the first blockto the second block comprises a torque bolt having a head configured tosnap off when a predetermined amount of torque is applied to the head.6. A piercing connector comprising: a first block associated with afirst circuit conductor lug having at least one first piercing contact;a second block; and at least one fastener connecting the first block tothe second block, the at least one fastener is configured to cause theat least one first piercing contact to make and maintain electricalcontact with a conductor placed between the first block and the secondblock wherein the at least one fastener is configured to further causethe at least one first piercing contact to pierce a cladding around theconductor and to pass through insulation around the conductor beforemaking and maintaining electrical contact with the conductor placedbetween the first block and the second block wherein the at least onefirst piercing contact is insulated in such a way that the at least onefirst piercing contact only makes and maintains electrical contact withthe conductor and does not make and maintain electrical contact with thecladding around the conductor.
 7. The piercing connector of claim 6,wherein the first block is associated with a first ground conductor lugwherein the at least one fastener is configured to further cause thefirst ground conductor lug to contact the cladding around the conductor.8. The piercing connector of claim 7, wherein the first ground conductorlug further comprise a ground tab exterior to the piercing connector andin electrical connection with the first ground conductor lug.
 9. Thepiercing connector of claim 6, wherein the second block is associatedwith a second circuit conductor lug having at least one second piercingcontact wherein the at least one fastener connecting the first block tothe second block is configured to cause the at least one second piercingcontact to make and maintain electrical contact with the conductorplaced between the first block and the second block.
 10. The piercingconnector of claim 9, wherein the at least one second piercing contactfurther comprise a second tab exterior to the piercing connector and inelectrical connection with the at least one second piercing contact. 11.The piercing connector of claim 9, wherein the at least one fastener isconfigured to further cause the at least one second piercing contact topierce the cladding around the conductor and to pass through theinsulation around the conductor before making and maintaining electricalcontact with the conductor placed between the first block and the secondblock.
 12. The piercing connector of claim 11, wherein the at least onesecond piercing contact is insulated in such a way that the at least onesecond piercing contact only makes and maintains electrical contact withthe conductor and does not make and maintain electrical contact with thecladding around the conductor.
 13. The piercing connector of claim 6,wherein the second block is associated with a second ground conductorlug wherein the at least one fastener is configured to further cause thesecond ground conductor lug to contact the cladding around theconductor.
 14. The piercing connector of claim 6, wherein the firstblock and the second block are made of a non-electrically conductivematerial.
 15. The piercing connector of claim 6, wherein the first blockand the second block are made of epoxy.
 16. The piercing connector ofclaim 6, wherein the first block and the second block are made ofporcelain.
 17. The piercing connector of claim 6, wherein the at leastone fastener connecting the first block to the second block comprises atorque bolt having a head configured to snap off when a predeterminedamount of torque is applied to the head.
 18. The piercing connector ofclaim 6, wherein the at least one first piercing contact furthercomprise a first tab exterior to the piercing connector and inelectrical connection with the at least one first piercing contact. 19.A continuous flexible bus comprising: a cladding containing a pluralityof electrical conductors; a device; and at least one piercing connectorconfigured to pierce the cladding and to cause an electrical connectionbetween a one of the plurality of electrical conductors in the piercedcladding and the device, wherein the piercing connector comprises; afirst block associated with a first circuit conductor lug having atleast one first piercing contact; a second block; and at least onefastener connecting the first block to the second block, the at leastone fastener configured to cause the at least one first piercing contactto make and maintain electrical contact with the one of the plurality ofelectrical conductors in the cladding placed between the first block andthe second block wherein the at least one first piercing contact isinsulated in such a way that the at least one first piercing contactonly makes and maintains electrical contact with the one of theplurality of electrical conductors and does not make and maintainelectrical contact with the cladding once the fastener is completelyfastened.
 20. The continuous flexible bus of claim 19, wherein the firstblock and the second block are made of a non-electrically conductivematerial.
 21. The continuous flexible bus of claim 19, wherein the firstblock and the second block are made of epoxy.
 22. The continuousflexible bus of claim 19, wherein the first block and the second blockare made of porcelain.
 23. The continuous flexible bus of claim 19,wherein the at least one fastener connecting the first block to thesecond block comprises a torque bolt having a head configured to snapoff when a predetermined amount of torque is applied to the head.
 24. Apiercing connector comprising: a first block associated with a firstcircuit conductor lug having at least one first piercing contact; asecond block; and at least one fastener connecting the first block tothe second block, the at least one fastener configured, when tightened,to cause the at least one first piercing contact to make and maintainelectrical contact with a conductor placed between the first block andthe second block wherein the first block is associated with a firstground conductor lug wherein the at least one fastener is configured,when tightened, to further cause the first ground conductor lug tocontact a cladding around the conductor.
 25. The piercing connector ofclaim 24, wherein the first block and the second block are made of anon-electrically conductive material.
 26. The piercing connector ofclaim 24, wherein the first block and the second block are made ofepoxy.
 27. The piercing connector of claim 24, wherein the first blockand the second block are made of porcelain.
 28. The piercing connectorof claim 24, wherein the at least one fastener connecting the firstblock to the second block comprises a torque bolt having a headconfigured to snap off when a predetermined amount of torque is appliedto the head.
 29. A piercing connector comprising: a first blockassociated with a first circuit conductor lug having a at least onefirst piercing contact; a second block; and at least one fastenerconnecting the first block to the second block, the at least onefastener configured to cause the at least one first piercing contact tomake and maintain electrical contact with a conductor placed between thefirst block and the second block wherein the second block is associatedwith a second circuit conductor lug having at least one second piercingcontact wherein the at least one fastener connecting the first block tothe second block is configured to cause the at least one second piercingcontact to make and maintain electrical contact with the conductorplaced between the first block and the second block.
 30. The piercingconnector of claim 29, wherein the first block and the second block aremade of a non-electrically conductive material.
 31. The piercingconnector of claim 29, wherein the first block and the second block aremade of epoxy.
 32. The piercing connector of claim 29, wherein the firstblock and the second block are made of porcelain.
 33. The piercingconnector of claim 29, wherein the at least one fastener connecting thefirst block to the second block comprises a torque bolt having a headconfigured to snap off when a predetermined amount of torque is appliedto the head.
 34. A piercing connector comprising: a first blockassociated with a first circuit conductor lug having at least one firstpiercing contact; a second block; and at least one fastener connectingthe first block to the second block, the at least one connectorconfigured, when tightened, to cause the at least one first piercingcontact to make and maintain electrical contact with a conductor placedbetween the first block and the second block wherein the second block isassociated with a second ground conductor lug wherein the at least onefastener is configured, when tightened, to further cause the secondground conductor lug to contact a cladding around the conductor.
 35. Thepiercing connector of claim 34, wherein the first block and the secondblock are made of a non-electrically conductive material.
 36. Thepiercing connector of claim 34, wherein the first block and the secondblock are made of epoxy.
 37. The piercing connector of claim 34, whereinthe first block and the second block are made of porcelain.
 38. Thepiercing connector of claim 34, wherein the at least one fastenerconnecting the first block to the second block comprises a torque bolthaving a head configured to snap off when a predetermined amount oftorque is applied to the head.
 39. A piercing connector comprising: afirst block associated with a first circuit conductor lug having atleast one first piercing contact; a second block; and at least onefastener connecting the first block to the second block, the at leastone fastener configured to cause the at least one first piercing contactto make and maintain electrical contact with a conductor placed betweenthe first block and the second block wherein the at least one firstpiercing contact further comprises a first tab exterior to the piercingconnector and in electrical connection with the at least one firstpiercing contact.
 40. The piercing connector of claim 39, wherein thefirst block and the second block are made of a non-electricallyconductive material.
 41. The piercing connector of claim 39, wherein thefirst block and the second block are made of epoxy.
 42. The piercingconnector of claim 39, wherein the first block and the second block aremade of porcelain.
 43. The piercing connector of claim 39, wherein theat least one fastener connecting the first block to the second blockcomprises a torque bolt having a head configured to snap off when apredetermined amount of torque is applied to the head.